Even as Primary Schools from eight regions across Guyana begin making their preparations for the 11th edition of the Courts Optical Pee Wee U11 Schools Football tournament, it was with much excitement and an air of expectation that the tournament was launched yesterday at the Courts MegaStore on Main Street, Georgetown.
At the launch, Troy Mendonca, Co-Director of the Petra Organisation was quick to thank the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Saddam Hussein and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. for playing their part in supporting the school tournaments, noting that their approval in the participation of schools from across the country was pivotal in helping to unearth the next generation of footballers.
Mendonca also expressed his joy in seeing the tournament grow from its inception to what has become a sport staple in the curriculum of the primary school system in Guyana.
“The tournament has improved so much that it is one of the most anticipated events of the school’s curriculum,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of Sales at Unicomer, the parent company of Courts Guyana, Malissa Sylvester remarked that the collaboration “aligns perfectly” with the company’s value of promoting social good.
“We are thrilled to witness the tournament’s continued growth and success and we celebrate the 11th year of Courts serving communities and promoting growth among the children” she noted in reference to the longevity of the company’s backing of the tournament.
With an eye on the upcoming on-field action, Sylvester said that she is looking forward to “celebrating the incredible young talent that will grace the field”.
“Play hard, play fair and enjoy every moment”, she urged.
On the other hand, Richard Simpson, Courts Optical Brand Manager, the flagship sponsor of the tournament declared; “I’m Happy that it’s Pee Wee again,
I thoroughly enjoyed last year! The joy that it brought last year was the highest point for us”.
He commended the Petra Organisation on a job well done and gave them his vote of confidence in continuing along the same vein.
The tournament which kicks off next Saturday (September 21) will conclude on November 2. The teams will first play in a round-robin group format (groups of 4 or 8 dependent on the final number of teams) before being whittled down to 16, with the winners from the round of 16 moving on to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and ultimately the final.
Last year’s winners were St. Pius Primary in the Boys category while Marian Academy took home the Girls title. Both of them will be looking to repeat as champions.
